If your friend is smoking what do you do? You need to make it clear to them that you don’t like the choices they’ve made and that you think its time for a change.  You may need to explain to them that you do care about them as a friend and that their health can make a difference in the lives of their family and friends. Tell them it’s not fair that they are putting your health at risk, and that you will always be there to help them live healthy.

      Who can you and your friend talk to? You can talk to anyone really, teachers, counselors, friends, parents as long as they make the message clear that smoking kills.

       How can you be a supportive friend? You need to be patient, quitting a habit isn’t easy and takes a lot of time and commitment, not only from the addict but from the family and friends that surround them. “Quit kits” are helpful in times like these, you can personally make one or buy one online, usually they include things like nicotine gum, rubber bands, things to keep the smoker occupied so they don’t light up again. Withdrawal symptoms can be irritability, anxiety, sleep problems, nausea, headaches, body aches, and changes in appetite

      Here are some of programs that can help smokers who are trying to quit:

               1. Tobacco quit line

               2. 1-800-quitnow

               3. School counselors

               4. Clean break Hawaii

               5. Castle Medical Center

      You can help your friend stay on track and live a healthy and tobacco free life. You may need to be patient, if they start smoking again its not the end of the world - quitting this addiction is still in reach! Remind them that you are always there for them and that you will help them quit this addiction. Keep them busy, join a group or sport together and make sure that they know that smoking is deadly.